State Rep. Jamie Pedersen's (D-43) controversial "mutual responsibility" bill---which would have required drivers to stay at least three feet from cyclists but would have also mandated that cyclists ride on the right side of the road---has been tabled, Seattle Bike Blog reports, citing a newsletter from the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, the group that was pushing the bill. That newsletter, sent January 21, says the Bicycle Alliance has "chosen not to pursue the bill and the sponsors have agreed to table it" in light of controversy in the bike community:

The Mutual Responsibilities bill was an ambitious undertaking by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and its Legislative Committee to better define what is expected and required of bicyclists and motorists to safely share the road. There were many good elements to the bill, including a definition for safe passing and providing bicyclists the same protections as pedestrians when they were in trail crossings, crosswalks and sidewalks.

While we conducted outreach with clubs across Washington, attorneys within the bicycling community, and solicited extensive input from within our own organization, we received extensive comments from cyclists both in favor and in opposition. In light of this, the Bicycle Alliance has chosen not to pursue the bill and the sponsors have agreed to table it.

The Bicycle Alliance will continue to push for legislation that would allow cities to set 20 mph speed limits and the vulnerable roadway users bill , which would crack down on drivers who hit cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users. Just this weekend, a pedestrian was hit by a car and seriously injured on Capitol Hill, and last Thursday, a Hummer ran into a bicyclist on East Olive Way.